Clasp



Jan. 29, l1929. 1,700,679 Y P. W. JONES v l CLASP Filed Dec. 6, 1927 f ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

' salirse stares 1; 'y tisana FERCIVAVL Vf. JONES, OF PAVTUXET, RHODE T.SLAND, ASSGNOR TO ROSENHEVIM CO. LINC., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND,` A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

einer.v

Application Afiled December 6, 1927. Serial No. 238,071.v

This invention relates to an improved construction of clasp for chains such as flexible bracelets and the like; and has'for its object to provide a locking member to prevent accidental disengagement of the clasp.

A further object of the invention is to slidably mount a locking member on one of the terminal links ofthe chain to be moved into a position to block a disengaging movement of the lingerpieceof the clasp. l

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a lock which will be neat in appearance and not detract from the ornamental effect of a brac-elet which is worn for personal adornment.

' With these and other objects in view, theinvention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out'in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing's: Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a chain made up of a plurality oflinks with the locking member for the clasp in locking position. Y

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of terminal links of the chain. Y y f Figure 3 is a perspective view ofthe locking member.

Figure tis a perspective view of the terminal link and the locking member mounted thereon. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the latch. Figure 6 is av perspective View of the opposite terminal link of the chain with the latch pivotally mounted thereon.

' Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 7 7 of Figure l.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line '8 8 of Figure 4.

.Figure 9 is a sectional view of the terminal Vlinks of the chain with the locking member for the yCl asp in withdrawn position.

the

Figure l0 is a similar view with the lock-v ing slide member in its locking or working position. v f

Figure l1 is a view taken on line ll-ll of Figure l0 looking in the direction of the arrow.

The clasp illustrated while adapted for use to connect any terminal links of a bracelet,

chain or the like, is designed more particularly for use as a so-called center catch to be used in connection with a wrist watch bracelet to permit the center of thebracelet to be detached for' removing the watch and brace-` let from the Wrist rather than unhooking portions of the bracelet which engage the bails ofthe wrist watchand` to prevent aecidental depression of the detaching iingerpiece and loss of the vbracelet 'and wrist watch, it is found desirable to provide a locking member l to prevent operationy of theingerpiece; and

the following isa detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention showing one means by' which such advantageous locking device may be formed:

Vith reference to the drawings,` 10 designates alink bracelet, 1l one terminal link and l2 another terminal link thereof.' The linky l2 is provided with acompressible latch 13 pivoted thereto by means of a pinl 14C. vThis compressible latch has portions l5 to engage abutments 16 carried by the terminal link 1l as clearly illustrated in Figures@ and l0, to prevent detachment of the linksmll and'l2. A fingerpiece 17 is formed integral vwith the latch 13 by extending a portion of the stock upwardly therefrom and foldingrthe same back upon itself7 which lingerpiece may bey pushed inwardly to release the latch from the terminal links 1l and l2.

v ln order to lock the latch against disengagement, the ingerpiece isundercut as at 18' and a locking member 19 is mounted on the /link l1 with extending arms 2O to'be moved into the undereuts i8 of the lingerpiece to block the depression thereof. This locking member is provided with wing portions 2-1 which extend through slots 22 in the terminal link l1 and are folded loosely beneath the wall 23 of this link to securelyr mount the locking sulcent pressure ou thehandle portion 24B abutments v16 and permit detachment of the i r.member against accidental detachment and itsV and this resiliency Valso tends to force the detent and recess parts together to hold them in lirm liriction'al engagement. Y

It Will be apparent that the lock Which l have described is of simple, and practical construction and one Which may be advantageously employed upon 'an' ornamental series of links for bracelets or the like.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but l desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege oit resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the inventionbeing defined and limited only by the terms or the appended claims.

' I claim: l Y l. In Ka chain, terminal links, a compressible latch carried byv one terminal link, and an abutment carried by the other terminal link and engageable with the latch when noncompressed to hold the links together, a linger' piece having overhanging portions movable to compress said'latch, a member slidably mounted on one of said terminal links having extendingarms to be moved beneath said overhanging portion of saidlinger` piece to block its movement to compress said latch. `2. In a chain, terminal links,a compressible latch carried byA one terminal link, and an abutment carried by another terminal link and engageable with thezlatch When non-compressed to piece for operating said latch, a member bodily slidably mounted on the outer surface of one of said terminal links to be moved along the outer surface and beneath said Y linger-piece to prevent it from operating said latch, and detent and recess means between V said link and the end of said member'ior retaining` said member in set position on said link.

8. In a chain, terminallinks teach having a top Wall, a compressible latch carried by one terminal link,\an abtitment carried by another terminal link and engage'able with the latch when non-compressed to hold the links together, a finger piece carried by said latch for compressii'ijg` th'e same, a slot in the top Wall of one of said terminal links,l a member having avportion extending thru said slot for bodily slidably mounting it on said hold the links together, a finger l o-ne terminal link, an abutment carried by another terminal link and engageable With the latch when non-compressed to hold the..

links together, a finger piece carried by said latch tor compressing the same, slots in the top ivall of one ot said terminal links, a member havingportions extending thru said slots and folded loosely beneath said vvall for securing it thereto and for bodily slidably mounting it on said link, said member being movable to engage said tingerpiece to block it from being manipulated to compress said latch.

5. In a chain, terminal links, a compressible latch carried by one terminal link, and an abutmentcarried by another terminal link and engageable with the latch when noncompressed to hold the links together, an integral substantially 'Ff-shaped linger piece eX- tending from said latch for compressing the same, the terminal link carrying said abutment having longitudinally extending slots therein, a member havingportions extending into said slots and slidably mounted on said link, spaced extending-arms onsaid vmember to extend under the' T-shaped head of said linger piece to block a `movement to compress said latch, a handle portion on said member to assist in sliding it to and from Vlocking position, and detent and recess means bet-Ween said member and the'link upon which it is mounted to retain said member in locking position. l

l6. -In a, chain, terminal links,a. compressible latch carried by one terminal link, an

abutment carried by the other terminal link and engageable with the latch Awhen noncompressed to hold the links together, a linger piece movable to compress said latch, and a member bodily slidably mounted on the outer surface or one of Vsaid terminal links and having extending arms to be moved beneath said finger piece on opposite sides thereof to block its movement to compress said latch.

ln testimony whereof I atlizrmy signature.

rnRoivAL W. Joints.v 

